10 christmas markets around the world 2023

30 NOV, 2023

Sweta Gupta

The Montraux Christmas Market on the banks of Lake Geneva, with over 50 stalls, is magical. Don't miss the highlight – a flying Santa Claus. Open daily from November 23 to December 24, 2023.

1. montreux, switzerland

Video: Instagram/parallels_meridians

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a must-visit with 200+ rides, a 70-metre-high big wheel, and the UK's largest outdoor skating rink. This is open from Nov 17 to Jan 1, 2024.

2. hyde park winter wonderland, london

Video: Instagram/hydeparkwinterwonderland

3. dresdner striezelmarkt, germany

The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is one of the world's oldest Christmas markets, started as a one-day event in 1434. The 589th edition opens from November 29 to December 24. 

Photo: striezelmarkt.dresden.de

Photo: christkindlmarkt.at

4. weiner christkindlmarkt, austria

Vienna's enchanting Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz offers Austrian sausages and gingerbread cookies. This festive event runs from November 10 to December 26.

One of Europe's oldest markets, it dates back to 1570, and has transformed over the years. The market with narrow alleys and squares, opens on November 24 and is on till December 24.

5. strasbourg market, france

Photo: Instagram/strasbourgcapitaledenoel

Enjoy a light and sound show, ice skating, and fairground rides. Explore 200 chalets offering glühwein, Belgian beers, and waffles. This market starts from November 24 to December 31.

6. brussels winter wonders, belgium

Photo: Facebook

Dating back to 1786, it has grown from a one-day event to a three-week fair celebrating Santa Llucia's feast day on December 13. Fira de Santa Llucia runs from November 24 to December 23.

7. fira de santa llucia, barcelona

Photo: en.firadesantallucia.cat

This runs from Nov 19 to Dec 31, and includes the Lucia procession on December 13 with over 100 girls carrying candles. There are fireworks on December 25-26 and New Year's Eve.

8. tivoli, denmark

Photo: Instagram/tivolicph

The most traditional Christmas market is at Skansen on Djurgarden island, the world's oldest open-air museum. It opens on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 24 to December 17.

9. skansen's market, stockholm

Photo: Twitter/@courseofhistory

Stretching across Rynek Glowny, this is one of Europe's largest, set against the backdrop of St Mary’s Basilica and the Renaissance Cloth Hall. It runs from Nov 24 to Jan 1, 2024.

10. karkow market, poland

Photo: Instagram/krakowchristmas.com